One-day axe for Bopara, Shah

Ravi Bopara and Owais Shah have been left out of England's one-day squad to tour South Africa. Alastair Cook and Sajid Mahmood are recalled.

Last Updated: 08/10/09 1:57pm

Ravi Bopara and Owais Shah have been left out of England's one-day squad for the tour of South Africa.

The duo, mainstays for England in the 50-over format over the last 12 months, have been replaced in the 16-man party for two Twenty20s and five one-day internationals against the Proteas by Alastair Cook and Jonathan Trott.

Cook, the Test vice-captain, made the most recent of his 23 one-day international appearances in India last November but has gained reward for some strong displays at domestic level for Essex.

Warwickshire's Trott debuted against Ireland at the end of August but was not part of the squad for the NatWest Series and ICC Champions Trophy.

"Ravi Bopara and Owais Shah will, of course, be disappointed not to be included in either squad but they are both high class players and will remain in the selectors' thoughts as we go forward," ECB national selector Geoff Miller said.

"Alastair Cook has shown great determination to improve his one-day game this summer, made runs at domestic level in both 50 over and T20 cricket and the selectors believe now is the right time to re-introduce him to our one-day side.

"Likewise, Jonathan Trott who has made an immediate impact in our Test side and has also shown through his performances at domestic level that he has the talent and temperament to succeed in the shorter forms of the game."

Mahmood return

Fast bowler Sajid Mahmood replaces Ryan Sidebottom in the only other change to the squad that reached the semi-final of the Champions Trophy.

Mahmood last played international cricket at the 2007 World Cup but has been brought back after taking 24 wickets in 16 List A matches for Lancashire last season at an impressive strike rate of 30.5.

"Sajid Mahmood is another player who has had a taste of international cricket before and will be equally keen to make an impression in the one-day arena after continuing to show good form with Lancashire," added Miller.

England are scheduled to play Twenty20 internationals at Johannesburg (Nov 13) and Centurion (Nov 15) followed by five one-dayers from November 20 to December 4.

Paul Collingwood will continue as England's T20 captain before handing over leadership duties to Andrew Strauss for the 50-over action.

Kevin Pietersen has been named in the squad but will not feature in the Twenty20 internationals as he continues his recovery from Achilles surgery.

Pietersen's fitness will be assessed in the hope he can take some part in the one-day internationals.

"Kevin Pietersen is making good progress with his recovery from surgery on his injured Achilles," explained Miller.

"He will join up with the rest of the squad in South Africa following the first two T20 internationals and his fitness will be reassessed ahead of the one-day series."